SAY NO to NORTH SYDNEY COUNCIL'S 40% RATE RISE

NORTH SYDNEY COUNCIL WANTS TO RAISE OUR RATES AND RENTS BY MORE THAN 40%

On 7 May 2018, Mayor Jilly Gibson and Deputy Mayor Stephen Barbour, Councillor Alana Drummend (Mayor Jilly Gibson's daughter), Councillor Jessica Keen and Councillor Ian Mutton deceitfully & shamefully voted to raise rates by 7% each year for 5 years. This has been included in the current documents on exhibition which will be voted on this Monday night, 25 June 2018.

That is more than a 40% rate rise from today.

The rate rise is sneakily hidden as Scenario 3 in the exhibited Delivery Program 2018/19-2020/21 & Operational Plan 2018/19. It has been buried in the detail where they hoped we wouldn't find it - BUT WE HAVE AND WE SAY NO.

FACT: In the financial year 2016/17, Council exceeded the target on all 10 KPIs & recorded a $27.4m operating surplus.FACT: Our Council is in excellent financial shape with strong revenue.

Say NO to an unjustifiable rate & rent rise. Our Council needs to stop wasting our money & live within it's means.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

At the next Council meeting to be held at 7pm on 25 June 2018, North Sydney Council will re-consider and vote on adopting North Sydney Council’s Delivery Program 2018/19-2020/21 and Operational Plan 2018/19 which will increase our rates by 7% EACH YEAR compounded over the next 5 years (Scenario 3). That is more than a 40% increase on today’s rates. Council have NOT provided any justification for this rate rise.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

1. Write to the “Mayor and Councillors” at council@northsydney.nsw.gov.au

Dear Mayor and Councillors,We know, and you know, that our Council is in a very healthy & strong financial position. You cannot justify a rate increase of 7% p.a for the next 5 years. That is more than a 40% increase in rates from what we pay today. This is just a money grab.You have not consulted with your community but rather you have shamefully chosen to try and sneak this rate rise through without any debate and explanation, and without anyone noticing. This is deceitful and unacceptable.We have noticed what you are up to and we don’t support you.Any proposed rate rise should be an agenda item of its own, clearly identified as a rate rise and proper consultation with your community should take place outlining the reasons why, not this farcical pulling of the wool over our eyes.We ask you to put your Community 1st, to adhere to your promises and to vote against a rate rise. Live within your means like we have to.Yours faithfully,

4. Register to speak at the Council meeting on Monday 25 June at 7pm by:* contacting the Governance Officer on 9936 8397, or* emailing the Governance Officer at governance@northsydney.nsw.gov.au stating you wish to speak on the Draft Delivery Program 2018/19-2020/21 & Operational Plan 18/19, or* registering at the door of the Council Chamber between 6.40-6.55pm on Monday 25 June, just prior to the Council meeting.

5. Sign this petition and leave a comment.

SPEAK UP NOW - DON’T LET COUNCIL SNEAK THROUGH A HUGE RATE RISE

OUR COUNCIL MUST KEEP OUR RATES LOW AND SERVICES HIGH. THAT’S WHAT THEY PROMISED.